EAGLE-eyed hare spotters are being sought to help determine how many of the creatures live in East Lancashire.

The Wildlife Trust plans to assess the population of hares in the county in a bid to help protect the species and its habitat.

Hares are rare in Lancashire although areas such as the Forest of Bowland are known to be a favoured habitat of the creature.

In 1999/2000 the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside ran a public postcard survey, which encouraged people to report hare sightings. The result allowed a distribution map to be produce and uncovered interesting findings.

Generally hares are known to be solitary creatures however, a man from Ribchester has contacted the Trust to record seeing nine hares in a pasture near Blindhurst.

The survey, partly funded by Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Waste Services, is running again this year and the public is wanted to keep an eye out for brown hares.

People have been warned not to go onto farmland during the current foot and mouth disease outbreak but have been encouraged to observe from a distance, possibly using binoculars.

Despite its reputation in certain books as being "mad" the hare remains a mysterious creature, coming out mainly at night.

Sometimes mistaken for a rabbit, the hare can be told apart by its larger size, its leggy appearance and the black tips at the end of its long ears.

Although not a native to this country the hare was introduced to Britain prior to the Roman invasion and adapted to the farming landscape. But changes in farming methods over the last 100 years have meant that the hare declined by an estimated 80 per cent.

If you can help or want more information contact Tony Sergeant at the Wildlife Trust on 01772 324129 or e-mail tsergeant@lancswt.cix.co.uk.